First Known Use: 1928
Dictionary
oxytocin
noun oxy·to·cin \-ˈtō-sən\
Definition of OXYTOCIN
: a pituitary octapeptide hormone C43H66N12O12S2 that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk
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Origin of OXYTOCIN
International Scientific Vocabulary, from oxytocic
Medical Dictionary
oxytocin
noun oxy·to·cin \-ˈtōs-ən\
Medical Definition of OXYTOCIN
1
: an octapeptide hormone C43H66N12O12S2 secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates especially the contraction of uterine muscle and the secretion of milk—called also alpha-hypophamine
2
: a synthetic version of oxytocin used especially to initiate or increase uterine contractions (as in the induction of labor)—see pitocin
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